Shoulder Board decisions

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed as she has withdrawn her appeal.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder disability and bilateral hearing loss due to lack of current diagnosed disabilities, as well as failure to report for a required VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for left shoulder subluxation and a TDIU due to new evidence being added to the record without AOJ consideration, as well as issues with previous examinations.

The Board has found that further development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder tendonitis, right shoulder condition (impingement syndrome with rotator cuff tendonitis), anxiety, and depression. The issues are being remanded to obtain a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's right shoulder strain, rotator cuff tendonitis, acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, and rotator cuff tear are rated at 20 percent since October 1, 2015. The left shoulder impingement syndrome with status post left shoulder repair is also rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not shown as chronic in service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period. The Board finds that the current disability is not related to service.,The Veteran has a current left shoulder disability, but the VA examiner opined that it is most probably due to age-related degenerative joint disease (DJD). Remand necessary for further examination and opinion.,The Veteran's right shoulder disability is inextricably intertwined with his left shoulder disability. Remand necessary for further examination and opinion on this issue.,The Veteran has a current headache condition, but did not report currently having them during the VA examination. Remand necessary for further examination and opinion.,The Veteran served at Camp Lejeune with presumed exposure to contaminated water. Service connection may be established on a direct basis if related to exposure. Remand necessary for VA examinations and opinions.,The Veteran has a current diabetes condition, but did not report currently having it during the VA examination. Remand necessary for further examination and opinion.

The Board has denied service connection for a bilateral shoulder condition and has remanded the issue of service connection for a lumbar spine condition.

The Veteran's left shoulder tendonitis and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease have been granted initial disability ratings of 20 percent each, effective from the dates specified.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disability and nervousness and depression have been granted. The Board has determined that new evidence was submitted to reopen these claims.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral knee and back disabilities, as well as his claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability. The case is being remanded to allow for further development.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board found that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to limited range of motion and pain. The appeal was denied.

The Veteran's claims for compensable evaluations for residual scars to the appendix and shoulder, as well as a forehead laceration, have been denied due to lack of evidence supporting higher ratings.

The Board denied effective dates prior to February 6, 2017 for a 20% disability rating for left shoulder impingement syndrome and a 100% disability rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's COPD is granted as presumptively related to exposure to burn pits and other toxins during service, pursuant to the PACT Act. The issues of left shoulder condition and right foot condition are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his low back disability and left shoulder disability, are found to have caused his psychiatric disorder.,Effective March 28, 2016, the Veteran is granted a 30 percent rating for his aggravated congenital absence of pectoralis major in the left shoulder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right shoulder arthritis, as they are related to a parachute jump incident in service. The VA is required to seek alternative records due to missing service records and provide an addendum examining the Veteran's self-reported history of injury during this event.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for OSA has been granted, and he is also granted increased ratings for his TMJ dysfunction, cervical strain, left shoulder impingement syndrome, and lumbar spine strain.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal regarding the reduction of disability evaluations for right shoulder and right knee disabilities, effective September 1, 2017.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and development to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed left shoulder, left knee, right knee (other than chondromalacia), and respiratory disorders. The TDIU claim has been granted.

The Board has determined that the right shoulder disability may have pre-existed service and was not aggravated by service. The claim is being remanded for a new examination to determine if this is true.